Sarah Faraday and Faraday to Mary Deacon and William Deacon   7 and 10 September 1862

Lowestoft | Sepr 7th 1862

Dear Mary

We have had such pleasure in hearing your journal that I am quite inclined to write a few lines & feel much for you and William in all your discomforts & anxieties I really think you must be heartily glad to get rid of all your passengers; it is a great trial of character being in such close companionship for so long a time & in such monotony. I should be sorry to judge too severely or I should say the passengers were below the average in moral character so many inclined to drink, but it is a tedious time & people do not know what to do with their time. I am much concerned at your continual sickness & should really fear it might affect your general health, I do not wonder at your husband thinking of leaving you behind for a while though as you say it would be a great loss husband & friends at once & too much to think of, but I hope you will consider seriously before you go again - I know it would be no trifle but it might be borne -

Jane is writing so no doubt has told you what a pleasant visit we have been paying to Old Buckenham & how we have left Margaret [Barnard] there to extend hers a little while, we came on to this place to refresh & rest ourselves. The air is very bracing here & we really needed rest visiting & talking is very fatiguing particularly when so many are very deaf & we are always obliged to take the lead - but notwithstanding it is a visit full of interest. - Among other things Jane took some lessons in driving which I was glad she should have the opportunity of doing & she enjoyed very much, there is a little chaise to let at Hampton Court but so far we could not drive so did not hire it - things of interest are continually going on amongst us both public & private but I hardly seem to know what to touch upon Jane has been many times to the InterNation Exhibition¹ & I have been twice which is more than I expected as my time for these things is pretty well over, of course it had brought many to London & our meeting has been continually replenished by strangers, our dear old Meeting which we are so soon to give up, this is the last month I understand², I feel quite inclined to regret it but no doubt the new one will have many advantages particularly to the young - Jane & your Uncle are out for a walk on the Pier[.] Supper is la<<id>> the Sabbath away from all our friends is rather dull we are so little used to it -

10th Jane has received letters from home, they are anxious about your mother³ she has not been sleeping so well, I quite encourage them to have some one to help in the nights for they are getting worn having new servants who take no part in the nights but you will hear full particulars from your sisters - I hear from your Aunt Buchanan⁴ this morning, she has been spending a month at Eastbourne with her family & Nathaniel⁵ & George Edward⁶ have been to Norway. Only think how the young men travel about - they have returned[.]

Our poor Anderson has lost his wife⁷ and we have a new porter⁸, also Dr Frankland is appointed professor of Chemistry⁹, so you see we have our share of changes, I do not know whether you heard of the death of poor Lacey¹⁰ - he had taken a house in Chelsea & was going to let it & so hoped to gain a living - his wife¹¹ was confined a little while before his death so there is trouble poor thing[.]

You will be interested in hearing about James’ engagement¹². I have not seen the young lady yet nor James either since the engagement, we hear that he seems very happy & all the family are pleased with her so far - I do not know whether you heard that we have had a letter from James Gray¹³ (at least his sister Ellen [Giles] has) he is married at New York I think & his wife was just confined I hope he may make a good steady husband he has many kind valuable qualities -

I dare say some one has written about poor Sarah Macomies¹⁴ trouble - losing her second little girl¹⁵ by a railway accident; it was very grievous; her mother was taking a walk with her & they had to cross the rail, she ran on first & an express came up & killed her at once poor Sarah it is her first grief of that kind -

Mrs Giles seemed sinking in spirit & strength so it was decided that she should go & pay a visit to her sister Eliza [Metcalfe]¹⁶ with her two youngest & her eldest girl, & it seems to be answering its purpose¹⁷ - 4 boys were taking their holiday with their Aunt Maria Proctor¹⁸ at Tynemouth, Mr John Giles continues to take a very kind interest in their concerns & visits them once a week which is a great support to Ellen left as she is with so many boys¹⁹.

We hear that William Gray²⁰ is to be married next Saturday to Emily Deacon²¹ as no doubt you have heard, there is rather a serious difference in their age 12 years on the wrong side but we are all very well pleased upon the whole for that seems the one drawback only think that is the 5th of the Deacon family who have become our Nephew or niece if I may include Mrs Walter²² - Jane & your Uncle are busy pricking or marking on a pattern from the family friend which Jane has found here, we have a very good collection of books in this room which is a great addition to a country lodging on a wet day which this is. I suppose with all your passengers you had quite a variety of reading according to different peoples taste - but I am quite at the end of my paper so will sign myself with love to William | Your affectionate Aunt | S. Faraday

Dear Mary & William - The being at Lowestoft has been a continual reminder to us of you both in your ship & we have looked at the ships passing north in ballast & almost out of the water & then looked out for them in the distance going Southwards in Cargo and always seen something to remind us of you. I am very glad to know you have got out of your living cargo for they must have been a troublesome lot & now & then the heavy soldiering accent Jeannies cargo well come to mind & I wonder how that will turn out - but all is hallowed by affectionate wishes & love & earnest thoughts for your wellfare I know you get all the news or I would tell of mother & James & others. Love to you my dear creatures from your Affectionate Uncle. M. Faraday.